AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Draw the magnetic field pattern of a bar magnet showing how strength and…
Full specification wording
Magnetic fields: draw the magnetic field pattern of a bar magnet showing how strength and direction change from one point to another
A bar magnet produces a three-dimensional magnetic field, but exam answers use a two-dimensional pattern of field lines.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 8
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A bar magnet produces a three-dimensional magnetic field, but exam answers use a two-dimensional pattern of field lines. Draw lines that leave the north pole and enter the south pole, forming closed loops through the magnet. Direction is shown by arrowheads pointing away from north and towards south. Strength is shown by line spacing: lines are closest together at the poles, where the field is strongest, and spread out with distance, where it is weaker. A plotting compass placed at a point aligns with the local field line, so its north-seeking pole points along the arrow. Field lines never cross, because a compass at a crossing would have two directions at once.
What earns the marks
- Field lines are drawn leaving the north pole and entering the south pole, with arrowheads showing that direction.
- Lines form continuous closed loops, returning through the inside of the magnet from south to north.
- Line spacing is used to represent strength: closely spaced lines at the poles show a strong field, wider spacing away from the magnet shows a weaker field.
- The pattern is symmetrical about the magnet's axis, and lines do not cross one another.
- A plotting compass at any point lies along the local field line, with its north-seeking pole pointing in the direction of the arrow.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Drawing arrowheads pointing from south to north.
Put it right by remembering that field lines are defined as leaving a north pole and entering a south pole.
Drawing field lines that cross.
Put it right by checking that each point in space has only one field direction, so lines must curve apart rather than intersect.
Showing uniform spacing everywhere.
Put it right by crowding lines near the poles and spreading them out with distance to represent changing strength.
Exam tips
- Use a sharp pencil and draw smooth curves; a ruler is only useful for the straight central axis line.
- Add arrowheads at least once on every line, not just at the poles, so direction is unambiguous.
- Annotate the diagram with 'strong field' near the poles and 'weak field' far away to make the strength change explicit.
Try the lesson
The start of the Magnetic fields: draw the magnetic field pattern of a bar magnet showing how strength and direction change from one point to another lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which direction do the magnetic field lines point around the outside of a bar magnet?
Listen
A bar magnet produces a three-dimensional magnetic field, but exam answers use a two-dimensional pattern of field lines. Draw lines that leave the north pole and enter the south pole, forming closed loops through the magnet. Direction is shown by arrowheads pointing away from north and towards south. Strength is shown by line spacing: lines are closest together at the poles, where the field is strongest, and spread out with distance, where it is weaker. A plotting compass placed at a point aligns with the local field line, so its north-seeking pole points along the arrow. Field lines never cross, because a compass at a crossing would have two directions at once. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Field lines are drawn leaving the north pole and entering the south pole, with arrowheads showing that direction. Lines form continuous closed loops, returning through the inside of the magnet from south to north. Line spacing is used to represent strength: closely spaced lines at the poles show a strong field, wider spacing away from the magnet shows a weaker field. The pattern is symmetrical about the magnet's axis, and lines do not cross one another. A common slip: Drawing arrowheads pointing from south to north. Instead, remembering that field lines are defined as leaving a north pole and entering a south pole. Exam tip: Use a sharp pencil and draw smooth curves; a ruler is only useful for the straight central axis line.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Magnetic field pattern
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Direction of a magnetic field
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Field strength
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Plotting compass
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Magnetic field pattern
- A two-dimensional pattern of field lines used in exam answers to show the three-dimensional magnetic field produced by a bar magnet.
- Direction of a magnetic field
- Shown by arrowheads on field lines, pointing away from the north pole and towards the south pole.
- Field strength
- Shown by line spacing, with closely spaced lines at the poles showing a strong field and wider spacing away showing a weaker field.
- Plotting compass
- Placed at a point, it aligns with the local field line so its north-seeking pole points along the arrow.
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